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Jordan pilot hostage Moaz al-Kasasbeh 'burned alive' Jordan pilot hostage Moaz al-Kasasbeh burned alive
(35 minutes later)
A video published online by Islamic State (IS) militants claims to show Jordanian pilot Moaz al-Kasasbeh being burned alive. Jordan has confirmed the death of pilot Moaz al-Kasasbeh after a video published online by Islamic State (IS) claimed to show him being burned alive.
The video, which could not immediately be verified, shows a man standing in a cage and engulfed in flames. The video shows a man standing in a cage and engulfed in flames. Intelligence officials are working to confirm it is genuine.
Lt Moaz al-Kasasbeh was captured when his plane came down near Raqqa, Syria, in December on a mission to support the US-led military coalition against IS. Jordan vowed "punishment and revenge".
Jordanian state TV confirmed the death and said he was killed a month ago. Lt Kasasbeh was captured when his plane came down near Raqqa, Syria, in December on a mission to support the US-led military coalition against IS.
The video posted online on Tuesday was distributed via a Twitter account known as a source for IS propaganda. The video posted online on Tuesday was distributed via a Twitter account known as a source for IS propaganda. Jordanian state TV reports that Lt Kasasbeh, 26, was killed a month ago.
A relative of Lt Kasasbeh told Reuters news agency that the Jordanian armed forces had informed the family that he had been killed.
The BBC's Frank Gardner says that the video is clearly intended to shock.The BBC's Frank Gardner says that the video is clearly intended to shock.
The highly produced 22-minute film includes a sequence showing the Jordanian pilot walking at gunpoint amongst rubble apparently caused by coalition air strikes that targeted jihadists.The highly produced 22-minute film includes a sequence showing the Jordanian pilot walking at gunpoint amongst rubble apparently caused by coalition air strikes that targeted jihadists.
Jordan had been attempting to secure Lt Kasasbeh's release as part of a prisoner swap. Jordan had been attempting to secure Lt Kasasbeh's release as part of a prisoner swap, offering to free Iraqi militant Sajida al-Rishawi in return for the release of Lt Kasasbeh.
It had offered to free Sajida al-Rishawi, who is on death row in Jordan for her role in hotel bombings in Amman in 2005, in return for the release of Lt Kasasbeh. 'Not in vain'
The video emerged three days after another video appeared to show the dead body of Japanese hostage Kenji Goto. That was after IS had sought to exchange Rishawi's freedom for that of captive Japanese journalist Kenji Goto. A video that appeared to show Goto's dead body appeared three days ago.
The US state department said it was working to confirm the authenticity of the video. A spokesman for the Jordanian armed forces, Mamdouh al-Ameri, said Lt Kasasbeh had "fallen as a martyr".
US President Barack Obama said in a statement that if the video was real, it would be "one more indication of the viciousness and barbarity" of IS. "While the military forces mourn the martyr, they emphasise his blood will not be shed in vain. Our punishment and revenge will be as huge as the loss of the Jordanians."
"I think it will redouble the vigilance and determination of the part of the global coalition to make sure they are degraded and ultimately defeated," he added.
Kevin Connolly, BBC Middle East CorrespondentKevin Connolly, BBC Middle East Correspondent
The male members of the al-Kasasbeh family had been gathering every day at a community centre not far from the royal palace in Amman. Cousins, brothers and uncles maintained a vigil of support for Moaz's father, who sat anxious but dignified in a red chequered headdress and long flowing black robe.The male members of the al-Kasasbeh family had been gathering every day at a community centre not far from the royal palace in Amman. Cousins, brothers and uncles maintained a vigil of support for Moaz's father, who sat anxious but dignified in a red chequered headdress and long flowing black robe.
After the murder of Japanese journalist Kenji Goto the mood darkened, and one of the pilot's uncles, retired police general Fahd al-Kasasbeh, was close to tears as he asked the BBC to help relay a direct appeal to the hostage takers. After the murder of Japanese journalist Kenji Goto the mood darkened, and one of the pilot's uncles, retired police general Fahd al-Kasasbeh, was close to tears as he asked the BBC to help relay a direct appeal to the hostage-takers.
There were family members who hoped Lt Kasasbeh would be treated with lenience because he was a Muslim, while others feared he'd be harshly dealt with as an enemy pilot. And all along on both sides of the argument was the nagging fear that no proof of life was received, no photographs and no video. There were family members who hoped Lt Kasasbeh would be treated with lenience because he was a Muslim, while others feared he would be harshly dealt with as an enemy pilot. And all along on both sides of the argument was the nagging fear that no proof of life was received, no photographs and no video.
The family's reaction, of course, will be one of deep grief and distress. But in wider Jordanian society, there will be pressure for the government to hit back. An implicit threat to speed up the execution of IS prisoners in Jordanian jails, where some are already on death row, may now be carried out.The family's reaction, of course, will be one of deep grief and distress. But in wider Jordanian society, there will be pressure for the government to hit back. An implicit threat to speed up the execution of IS prisoners in Jordanian jails, where some are already on death row, may now be carried out.
Profile: Lt Moaz al-KasasbehProfile: Lt Moaz al-Kasasbeh
US President Barack Obama said in a statement that if the video was real, it would be "one more indication of the viciousness and barbarity" of IS.
"I think it will redouble the vigilance and determination on the part of the global coalition to make sure they are degraded and ultimately defeated," he added.
Gen Ali Shukri, a former Jordanian army officer, told the BBC the news would cause "total dismay" in Jordan.
"This is something that hasn't been seen before," he said. "It's an absolute terror. Now the very old saying of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth is going to be brought back and I think days ahead of us will show that to [IS] and whoever is supporting them."